Numbers of mobile students on the rise
After the setback caused by the pandemic, the 2021/22 biennium sees a significantly rising index
The international vocation of our Athenaeum is most evident in the activation of study mobility programs for students. In particular, there are five active programs:
- Erasmus+
- Exchange (generally non-EU)
- Semester Abroad
- Summer/Winter Sessions
- Free Mover/Visiting Students
Looking at last years' data, we note that in A.Y. 2018/19 there were 200 outgoing mobility students: 121 Erasmus students and 79 in other mobility. There were 123 incoming students from Europe and Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Canada. Starting in September 2019, in concert with Tutoring and Counseling and International Recruitment, exchange students were also able to take advantage of the Welcome to Milan Welcome to IULM program with introduction to Italian culture, guided tours and activities in the city of Milan.
In the academic year 2019-20, there were 192 outbound students for study programs (outgoing), plus 4 internships abroad funded by the Erasmus program. Inbound (incoming) students were 142 from all over Europe and from Russia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, the United States, Korea and Japan. In 2020, the Welcome to Milan Welcome to IULM project also continued in a blended (on campus/online) version, benefiting both exchange and matriculated international students.
The outbreak of the emergency due to COVID required extraordinary efforts to support both IULM students abroad and foreign exchange students at our University, among which we highlight the psychological support activities carried out with the collaboration of the Tutoring and Counseling Office.
In A.Y. 2020-21, due to the continuing pandemic, there were numerous dropouts or cancellations of mobility (mainly in the non-EU area). There were only 92 outbound students, plus 12 internships abroad funded through the Erasmus program.
Incoming mobility programs were also severely affected by the COVID emergency, registering 66 students, a significant decrease from the previous year; the origins were limited to countries in Europe, except for one incoming student from the United States.
In A.Y. 2021-22 , however, provisional data indicate a significant upswing in programs, both for incoming and outgoing students. Indeed, 222 outgoing students and 210 incoming students are reported, demonstrating a full recovery to pre-COVID levels. A positive trend also confirmed by the fact that more than 400 vacancies have been announced for international mobility programs for the 2022-2023 academic year.